How Can I Take Better Pictures...?

[lottolearn]

Hello. Just logged in today for the first time and I am looking forward to many discussions....

For those with children, this time of the year is very busy with activities such as School/Church Christmas Concerts which brings me to my question...how can I get better/closer pictures of the children on stage with my G2 without actually being 6 inches away? Maybe the answer is you can't....or if you can, then lighting becomes an issue...

I just recently purchased the G2 along with a photo printer and just love the both of them. Anyway, having worked with digital cameras prior to the G2, the Digital zoom is very limited and in fact, I avoid using it because the picture quality isn't that good. I've been looking in to telephoto lenses for the G2 but I'm not sure how well they work and the price prohibits buying them without knowing...

Any insight/suggestions/recommendation given would be much appreciated.

[PatrickEggers]

Try a Lensmate adapter (http://www.lensmateonline.com/G2start.html) with a 2X tele-converter. The interchangeable lenses could cause you problems in the long run. When changing them you can get dirt, lint, etc. on the CCD. Using compressed air can clean the CCD but won't get any "sticky" stuff off. If you touch the CCD, you run the risk of permanent damage. With the Lensmate adapter, it will take any 49mm filter, converter, etc. You could wind up with some vigenetting with some, though I haven't experienced it. Zoom out to the maximum, and it should eliminate any possibility.

[jmhobbs]

Hey Patrick,

I'm a little confused by your statement of getting dirt/dust/etc. on the CCD. The Lensemate attaches over the existing lens. To my knowledge, there's no way of exposing the G2's CCD without breaking the camera apart. If the G2 were an SLR with removable lense, then there's definitely the risk of soiling the CCD. But the G2's lens is not removable. If the G2's CCD gets exposed to the elements, you'd have bigger problems than dust on the CCD :)

Jon

[lionmanma]

Right - you can't remove the lens on a G2 so no problem with exposing the sensor.

[calaco]

The optical zoom on any digital camera is OK, but if you want to zoom in closer than what this allows, without any adapters, then you have to use the digital zoom.
Usually the problem with this is that the camera just enlarges the picture and does not really zoom in. You then have a problem with the pixels in the picture becoming large.

Set the resolution on the camera to MAXIMUM with the compression SMALL etc. to get the largest file size.

This way, you can eliminate much of the grainyness.

If you buy a lens adapter, don't buy the LA-58 from Canon if you are planning to use the built-in flash a lot. The 58mm size tends to cause a shadow on some pics from the flash.
The LensMate unit is 49mm which works better; better quality too than Canon's one.

[bfaust]

I have the Canon 58mm adapter and telephoto lens. I agree about the blockage of the flash. I usually leave it mounted to protect the lens. I use a Canon 380ex flash when necessary or remove it for built in flash (in a pinch).

The Tele works fine. I have not one any critical evaluations (chromatic abberations, pin cushioning or barrel distortions, etc.)
Also, I don't use it as much as I thought I would.
The Canon gives you a little bit of zoom before vignetting appears. Maybe 25%???.
I find that for sharp pictures it is best to use a tripod, monopod or some other stable support when using the telephoto lens. In general I usually use at least a monopod whenever possible.

[lottolearn]

Thanks for the insight....I appreciate it! Getting back to telephoto lens and adaptors...it appears that the 49mm is the way to go (for now at least since I plan on using the internal flash for awhile)...now how about a lens? What brand/size of telephoto lens is recommend? Bruce, you say you used the Canon teleconverter, what type and since you've played with it for awhile, even though you don't use it that much, would you recommend another teleconverter...something you heard about being better?

Thanks Again
Karl
(Maryland)

[bfaust]

I am using the canon TC-DC58 a 1.5 X teleconverter. Thsi weekend I took several sailing pictures with it and they all came out fine. I was using a monopod with it. With this teleconverter I do get a little zoom before the vignetting starts in.

One other thought is that if you want to get a wide angle lens, with the 58 mm adapter you have to get the canon ($150) model. I'm unaware of other companies that make a 58 mm converter either tele or wide angle.